humphries



UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFTCE.

JOS. HUMPHRIES, OF VASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

FLOATING ANCHOR AND LIFE-PRESERVER.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 19,638, dated March 16, 1858.

To all whom fit may concern:

Be it. known that I, JOSEPH HUMPHRIES, of Vashington, in the county of Vashington, District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful improvement in a floating anchor or drag for the use of vessels to ride by in heavy gales of wind at sea, to be also converted into a life-preserver when needed; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction, operation, and use of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings.

Figure 1 represents the manner in which it is to be secured to the side of the Vessel. Fig. 2 represents the position it takes when in the wateras a floating anchor. Fig. 3 represents the position it takes when used as a life-preserver.

(a) in the accompanying drawings represents the anchor or weight attached; (5,) the clamp by which the anchor or weight is suspended; (0,) the link or trigger by whichl the clamp is secured, with a line attached for letting go the anchor or weight; (cZ,) the lashings by which it is secured tothe side of the vessel; (6,) the cleats on which it rests on the side of the Vessel; (f,) the bridle with a hawser attached; (g,) the line attached tothe trigger; (la) the opening in the bread tank; the opening in the water tank.

This floating anchor or drag is constructed in three sections, A. B. C. of equal size, and connected together by strong hinges, in such a manner that the sections will fold in opposite directions. Sections A. and B. are to be of solid timber or plank of sufficient thickness and strength. Section C. is so constructed as to contain within it two tanks made of tin or other materials placed lengthwise, perfectly water' tight, they are separated by a narrow piece of timber, one of those tanks is to contain bread and the other water, and they will occupy one half of the space of the section, the whole to be covered with sheet iron or other material, on the bread tank is an opening near the center suiciently large to admit a biscuit, and secured by a flat screw lid; the water tank has an opening near one end sufficiently large to allow its being Y promptly filled, thisy is secured by a screw lid shaped like a bowl, in the center of this bowl is inserted a small pipe reaching to the bottom of the tank and on a level with the edge of the bowl outside, the mouth of this pipe to be secured with a cork, &c. This pipe Ais intended to facilitate the eX- traction of water from the tank by suction; at the ends of each of the sections is bolted a strong hook, to each of which is secured a leg of the bridle. On section A. in the center. of the lower edge is secured by an eye bolt the clamp by which the anchor or weight is suspended, this clamp is held in its proper position by a link or trigger secured by a staple or eye bolt, a strong line is fastened to this trigger, and leading from thence through a staple on the top of section C. along the hawser; this line is for the purpose of tripping the anchor or weight; this anchor or weight is attached for the purposes of placing the drag in a perpendicular position, or so that it will float edgewise in the water; the bridle is composed of three pieces of rope sufficiently strong, their lengths being so graduated that each leg will bear an equal strain; each leg having a thimble spliced in the end, so that it can be promptlyA placed on the hook; they are secured in the bight over a large thimble through which the hawser is to reeve. This floating anchor when required for use, is to have the weight properly attached, a strong hawser bent tothe bridle, the tripping line properly secured and led along the hawser; and when the lashings are cut it will fall in the water and take the position as shown in Fig. 2.

The utility of this invention for the preservation of vessels and lives must be obvious to every one, and the wantof such an article has been severely felt `in the many disasters at sea, it occupies but a small space, when secured to the vessel, the facility by which it can be brought into use, either on vessels that have been dismasted or had their sails blown away, or by Steamers which through stress of weather are unable to' carry steam, the use of this will bring them head to the sea and ride in comparative safety; and, in case the vessel should be in danger of foundering, the promptitude in which it can be converted into a life-preserver capable of supporting many persons,

When said drag is used as a life preserver, substantially as described. I

2. The arrangement of the bridle With the device for detaching the Weight When l5 used in the manner and for' the purpose as described.

JOSEPH HUMPHRIES.

yllitnesses:

THOMAS CHAMPION, DANIEL KLEIss. 

